Author Archives: Jennie

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About Jennie

I have been teaching preschool for over forty years. This is my passion. I believe that children have a voice, and that is the catalyst to enhance or even change the learning experience. Emergent curriculum opens young minds. It's the little things that happen in the classroom that are most important and exciting. That's what I write about. I was a live guest on the Kelly Clarkson Show. I am highlighted in the seventh edition of Jim Trelease's million-copy bestselling book, "The Read-Aloud Handbook" because of my reading to children. My class has designed quilts that hang as permanent displays at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, the Fisher House at the Boston VA Hospital, and the Massachusetts State House in Boston.

“Children need art and stories and poems and music as much as they need love and food and fresh air and play. “

Posted on July 5, 2016 by Jennie
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Happy Birthday, America!

Posted on July 4, 2016 by Jennie
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The Boy Who Cried Tears of the Heart

Posted on July 1, 2016 by Jennie

Chapter reading is one of our treasured moments of the day at school.  I know this, and so does Jackson.  Books bring to life the imagination, the world, and the past.  The anticipation of ‘what happens next’ stirs excitement every … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 44 Comments

Singing the Books; From Francis Scott Key, to Irving Berlin, to Woody Guthrie

Posted on June 26, 2016 by Jennie

When I was in fifth grade my teacher, Miss Pinson, taught us songs. I remember her white blouse and black hair, and how she held her arms up in the air when she directed a song. She made us feel … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

One Picture for a Thousand Words.

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Jennie

Our final chapter reading book this year at school was Little House on the Prairie.  The last chapter that we read was ‘Fresh Water to Drink’.  Pa and his neighbor, Mr. Scott, were digging a well.  Pa was careful to lower … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 17 Comments

Saturday 7

Posted on June 19, 2016 by Jennie

In Sue’s words, “Some posts have the potential to change the world. Here are 7 of them.” I am humbled that my post “How Children Really Learn” is among the seven. Thank you Sue. Please check out her blog, as … Continue reading →

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Chapter Reading

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Jennie

Chapter reading is one of our treasured moments of the day.  We bring to life the imagination, the world, and the past.  The anticipation of ‘what happens next’ stirs excitement every day.  Children listen and think.  They ask questions.  Ask … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 38 Comments

Practicing Handwriting and Math…In a Chinese Restaurant

Posted on June 12, 2016 by Jennie

Our dramatic play area is now a Chinese restaurant.  We have added menus, a wok, a cash register with money from our ‘travel box’, order pads and pencils, aprons, and chopsticks. Learning takes place in many different ways.  The setting … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

Blog Award

Posted on June 9, 2016 by Jennie

One Lovely Blog Award I have been nominated for this award by Charles French at https://charlesfrenchonwordsreadingandwriting.wordpress.com.  Thank you very much for this honor, Charles.  If you have not yet visited his blog, please do so.  He is an English Professor and … Continue reading →

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How Children Really Learn

Posted on June 4, 2016 by Jennie

The classroom seemed quiet, even though rice was everywhere on the floor, and nothing resembled the set-up of activities that teachers had carefully arranged.  Yet, every child was fully engaged in important play.  I stepped back for a moment to … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Education, Teaching young children, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 35 Comments